Ali welcomes repealing of the extreme and oppressive Media Act

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre welcomes the repealing of the extreme and oppressive Media Industry Development Act 2010 today.

Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali says this is a win for everyone as it starts a new era of media freedom in Fiji, freedom of expression and people's right to information.

Ali says this decision has been a long time coming, and they commend the Coalition Government for being so swift in restoring this fundamental human right.

She also commends journalists and human rights activists that continued to push the boundaries despite government pushback and intimidation in the last 16 years.

They hope that this change and shift in the media landscape in this country is also used as a moment of reflection for journalists and media organizations, where they will look at the critical roles they play and be open to more training and gender sensitization, especially for young journalists that have only known the oppressive media environment of the last 16 years.

 Ali says journalists must report without undue pressure because when that happens, it encourages a safer and more inclusive society, institutions are more transparent and accountable, and power and resources are distributed more justly.